Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fredrick Backman is such an incredible author! All of his books are very well written and this is just as good. The characters are well developed. The story is engaging and definitely thought provoking. Anyone who has enjoyed his previous books are in for another treat!

Backman has done it again. A beautifully written story about a summer and four friends. 25 years after the summer that changed his friends and his life forever Ted tells 18-year-old Louisa about the events of that summer. Written in Backman‘s unique voice. I cried. I laughed. And I read so slow because I did not want the story to end, I would read Frederick Backman‘s to do list

I'm not sure I can do justice to this story and these characters but here goes. Fredrik Backman has done it again with My Friends.

There are several museum break-ins, a long train ride, one memorable summer and a bunch of awful parents and classmates. Through it all Backman weaves a wonderful story of friendship - the kind that makes you suffer for another. Childhoods that no child should have to suffer through - many readers will relate to the cruelty of bullies and weak adults. There are crazy things that only kids will do, like ride the shopping cart down the steep hill. But in all of the darkness, Backman leaves you with hope - hope that there's still beauty left.
This is full of Backman's wonderful quotes -

"Nothing weighs more than someone else's belief in you"
" The children of addicts always know what time it is."
" How many books have you read? Not nearly enough, he smiles"

Backman's gift is seeing people. Everyone can relate to some character in his books. We feel seen and happy that we're not going through life without someone else facing the same things we face.

This is an emotional book - I was a puddle when I finished. Do not miss this wonderful story from Backman this year.

I will read every single book or novella Fredrik Backman writes. He evokes emotions in me that I didn’t even know I had. Backman has such a profound way of writing about complicated relationships, friendships, love/loss and everything in between. Simply put, he has mastered the art of writing about life.
My Friends is a story about how childhood friendships will never leave us. They stay with you forever.
Through the good and the bad. Etched in our memory for a lifetime, no matter the distance apart or the years gone by.
This is the story of Joar, Ted, Ali and the artist. A friendship that has spanned over 25 years. Each of them battling adversity either at home, school or within themselves.
This is also the story of a painting, and an eighteen year old named Louisa. How this all comes together is work of art itself.

Addiction, domestic abuse, mental health, foster care system are topics covered in this book. I believe Backman handled them very well. Although we knew they were there, it is more of a story about friendships, love and resilience.

My only small critique, I found the middle a bit slow. Maybe dialogue heavy, or I was just simply ready to hear ‘the end of the story’. Overall I loved this one and would highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC. This book publishes on May 6, 2025.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on April 18th, 2025. Links provided.

In My Friends, Fredrik Backman weaves a dual-timeline narrative centered around a group of four teenagers - Joar, Ted, Ali, and a boy simply known as “the artist.” Twenty-five years ago, the four of them found escape and comfort in one another during long, aimless days on a forgotten pier in a quiet seaside town. Each came from a deeply troubled home, and their bond became a refuge - filled with laughter, small rebellions, and moments of tenderness that made their hard lives a little more bearable. From that summer came a painting - one that would go on to become a masterpiece and, unexpectedly, change the course of someone else’s life decades later. That person is Louisa, a young, homeless artist in the present day who receives the painting as a part of the artist’s final wish. Tasked with helping her is Ted, now grown, who, through Louisa, reconnects with his own past as he recalls the journey that led to the painting’s origin. The novel explores how art can serve as memory, how friendships can be life-saving, and how pain - when shared - can sometimes become something beautiful. Told with Backman’s signature blend of humor and emotional depth, My Friends is a story about broken families, resilience, and the bonds that endure across space and time.

I’ve loved every Backman book I’ve read, so I came into My Friends with high expectations. And while there’s a lot to admire here, this one didn’t quite hit the same emotional high for me as some of his earlier work - especially Beartown, which remains my favorite. I really appreciated the themes and characters - especially the way the teenagers supported and uplifted each other despite their circumstances. Their friendship felt real, raw, and at times, very sweet. But, for me, the book took a while to find its footing. The constant jumping back and forth between the timelines sometimes felt abrupt and made it difficult for me to become fully invested until after the halfway mark. I also struggled with the pacing for the majority of the book as this would definitely be considered a slow burn. That said, the final hundred pages were very moving and once I was hooked, I found it difficult to put down. The story pulled everything together in a satisfying way, and the relationship between Louisa and Ted ended up being one of the most endearing parts. This is definitely a book that will mean a lot to many readers. It has the heart, the humor, and the insight that Backman is known for. For me, it was worth the read - even if it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. A slow burn, but one with a powerful, lasting warmth.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of My Friends in return for my honest review.

This was beautifully written. This is the first book I’ve read by Fredrick Backman, but I can already tell I’m going to be a big fan!

Fredrik Backman’s My Friends is a breathtaking, heart-deep journey through the bonds of friendship, the echoes of the past, and the unexpected magic of art. With his signature blend of quiet humor, tender melancholy, and deeply human storytelling, Backman paints a story that lingers like a favorite memory—bittersweet, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable.

At the center of the novel is Louisa, a young aspiring artist who finds herself the guardian of a mysterious painting—one that has captivated art lovers for decades but holds secrets only a few know. As she sets out to uncover the identities of the three small figures at the edge of the canvas, Backman takes readers on a dual-timeline journey that shifts between Louisa’s present-day quest and a long-ago summer where friendship was a lifeline for a group of bruised but fiercely loving teenagers.

That past is where My Friends truly shines. The teenagers on the pier are drawn with such empathy and detail that they feel like people you knew once—awkward, brave, broken, and luminous in the way only teens navigating hardship together can be. Their bond is raw and real, filled with inside jokes, shared silence, and the kind of rebellious hope that only youth and desperation can produce.

As Louisa gets closer to the truth of the painting’s origin, the story grows richer, more layered, and achingly emotional. It becomes clear that this isn’t just about a piece of art—it’s about the legacy of love and loyalty, the stories we pass on, and how our connections shape the way we see the world.

My Friends is a meditation on memory, on the art of holding space for people—both in life and on canvas—and on what it means to carry the past forward with care. It’s a novel about how beauty can emerge from pain, and how the quietest moments can have the loudest echoes.

In true Backman fashion, it will make you laugh through tears and smile through heartbreak. It’s not just a story about friendship—it’s a celebration of it. Profound, poignant, and deeply moving, My Friends is a masterpiece of the heart.

Backman always delivers for me! This is not my favourite of his, but the story will stick with me for a long time. This is a slower read but I am always amazed at his ability to deliver a suspenseful character driven story. Backman's characters get into your soul and this time is no different. As usual he covers some tough themes but does so with sensitivity and class.

We follow the lives of a group of friends drawn together by their situations, bound to support and save one an another. We are introduced to them by a young girl from the foster care system who falls in love with a painting. Its her love of the painting that connects her to the artist and ultimately to the artists group of friends.

This is a story about friendship and the power of our chosen families.

Likely unpopular opinion, but this was difficult to get into and just didn't hold my attention. There is a dual storyline and there were times during the story where I gasped in shock at a connection/revelation, but other times I was quickly skimming to get through some slow points.
I found it more depressing than inspiring.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Another amazing study of human character by one of the bests. Backman creates the realest of real people stumbling their way through life while finding its meaning in each other. I fell in love with these friends - new and old - and the lessons they taught each other.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review. This is the new Frederik Backman, which for most people, is enticement enough to pick it up, without even a plot summary. However, this is a story told in two timelines— one in the past about a trio of young, male friends and one in the present, as one of the friends reckons with his life experiences alongside Louisa, a young teen who is struggling to find her own way.

I want to preface this by saying that I’ve enjoyed every other book by this author that I’ve read. However, this one was just not it for me. I think these might just be my own issues with the book but, I really struggled to get into it. From the first few pages, the author was using the present circumstances of the book to demonstrate messages about wealth, youth, just life in general… I appreciated this to start with but, after a while it just felt like it was too much. I recognize that the plot isn’t one that’s necessarily intended to move so quickly but, I just found these points made this too slow for me and I struggled through. I also struggled a lot with Louisa’s character; her dialogue felt way too immature for someone her age and someone who’s gone through as much trauma as she has.

Overall, I appreciate the story being told here but, the execution just felt like a weird mash of bouncing between being slow and profound, being immature and youthful, and deciding whether to move the plot or impart a wisdom— it just didn’t work for me. But, I think the book will definitely strike a chord with some readers— there are some beautiful lines and the characters, especially the young trio of friends, is very sweet. They’re easy to root for and there’s a warm feeling that accompanies this story that many readers will look for and find.

I look forward to seeing others thoughts on this one and hope other readers enjoy!

I have read every Fredrik Backman novel and I have loved every single one.
'My Friends' was such a gift and I still get an ache in my chest when I think about the book. This book has the same charm and wittiness that is found in Backman's other works. I felt all of the emotions when reading this book and I shed many tears while holding on hope for Ted and Louisa to find their happy ending. I loved how Backman realistically portrayed the violence and betrayal that the children faced throughout the novel, and especially how incredibly hopeful the prose was. I think he was artful in his descriptions of trauma and about the slow, and sometimes never ending process of overcoming fears. The characters were also so well-fleshed out with their quirks and personalities. I loved Louisa's vulnerability and also her child-like joy at hearing stories, especially love stories. Ted's big heart and the relationship the four friends had was so heartwarming and just filled me with hope. The overarching themes of art and the power of creativity and love are also so well nuanced and I just felt like I was enveloped in a big hug reading this novel. 'My Friends' is a book I will be thinking about for a long time and it is one of my favorite novels by Fredrik Backman.

Thank you so so much NetGalley and Atria Books for the honor of reading 'My Friends' and the opportunity to meet Ted, Louisa, Joar, Kimkim, and Ali.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman follows two characters whose lives end up uniquely entwined after an event that occurs very early in the book. Louisa is an orphan who has recently run away from her foster home and Ted is the best friend of a prestigious artist that Louisa really admires. While they are trying to sort their lives, Ted begins telling Louisa about a particular summer 25 years earlier when he and the artist were 14 and what happened to inspire the artist’s first painting.

This is a beautiful story in typical Backman fashion. There is a past and present storyline that weave together really well, a cast of unforgettable characters, and a lot of life lessons. One thing I love about Backman is his ability to write emotions and feelings that can be hard to describe in a way that is easy to understand and relate to.

I found myself tearing up several times while reading this book. It is an emotional story but it’s also charming and funny. I think if someone was wanting to start reading books by this author, this would be an excellent place to start.

My only issue is that Louisa reads a bit young for 18. This may just be because of the translation but I kept thinking that she was more in the 14-15 age range, especially since the past timeline features characters that are those ages.

I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more from this author. I always enjoy his stories.

This book!! Backman’s writing is just so lush - there’s nothing like it. The humor, the feelings, the humanity in every scene and every piece of dialogue… they all make his stories so much more tender and believable.

This is a story about an orphan girl named Louisa. It’s also a story about an artist and his childhood friends. It’s told creatively from the artist’s friend Ted as an adult, and he’s telling the story to Louisa. The memories, flashbacks, dreams, and wishes come pouring out so naturally, as does a very convincing commentary on art and love. I cried multiple times throughout the book, equally from my love of Backman’s writing and the nostalgia it invokes, but also for the characters he pours so much life into. I want to be friends with them, you know?

This is definitely my favorite Fredrik Backman book... by far. However, it still features many of his trademarks--down and out characters who band together to form close bonds and help each other in ways they never knew they needed help.

Louisa is a foster kid with nobody to call her own and she somehow ends up inserting herself into the story of an artist and his closest friends, both in the past and very much in the present.
I love the way the time jumps around, the perspectives change and my perspective on each character changed along with it.

Well written, well-developed characters, and a satisfying ending. Just a LITTLE too long, so I'd say 4.5 stars overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. Expected publication date: May 6.

I have loved almost every Fredrik Backman book I have read (except Anxious People) and was really excited to get to read his latest in advance!

I loved this book! I do really love books about found family and this one is so heartwarming. Although it also incorporates a lot of tragedy, it is so uplifting. It’s really just a beautiful story of friendship. The whole books feels somehow mystical or dreamy as we look into the past of the summer the group of friends turned 15. I could picture the town so vividly and loved their friendship and bonds so much. It shows how much friends can save each other.

The ending was perfection and I love when a book’s ending does it justice.

I don’t think this can overtake Beartown as my favorite of the author’s but it was up there. If you haven’t read Fredrik Backman, it’s time to grab one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

It saddens me to say that I think I'm losing interest in Fredrik Backman's novels. I think My Friends will be very popular, but for me it was up and down, and mostly boring. The stuff about the art just didn't hold my attention at all. I finished it but just barely. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was heartbreakingly beautiful and precious. By chapter two, my heart was steadily aching; by 15%, my tear ducts were activated. This was an emotionally draining story, but well worth the read.

Not everyone has the advantage and luck of getting to grow up in a stable, nurturing, and loving home. To be loved, to be understood, to be heard, are what all children want and need. Unfortunately there are broken homes and broken parents out there incapable of providing that. This story brought together four of these such unfortunate teenagers, and showed us how their love and friendship saved them and gave them the push to continue each day. From the promises of tomorrow, and the declaration of “I love you and I trust you”, and the many laughs and moments throughout the story, I was right there with these kids laughing, crying, and cheering them on.

At one point in this story, it is described that bookshelves are filled with imaginary friends. I gained four imaginary pals from this story. What more could I ask for?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Bravo! Fredrick Backman does it again! Although this book started a little slowly for me, once I was hooked it was mesmerizing. Backman is an author who has the ability to write such different stories that one doesn't feel like he or she is reading rechurned stories. This book made me laugh and cry, and also surprised me at many turns. Don't assume you know what is going to happen! The characters are deeply developed, and pull the reader in. I loved how Bachman developed his characters, tying in past, present, and future settings. Thank you to Netgalley for this free ebook in exchange for a free review. This is a book that I will buy immediately upon release to have on my shelf and read again.

I have been a longtime fan of Fredrik Backman's writing since the publisher sent me an early copy of Beartown and I had never felt so immersed in a story. Since that day in 2016, I've read all of his other books and was so fortunate enough to meet him on his last book tour in Ontario in 2022 (see the pic on the right!).

I didn't even really know much about what My Friends was about before starting it, but I was quickly very swept up in the story of Louisa and the art postcard she's carried around for years. There's a cast of characters here that we meet slowly as the story unfolds, but the connection that I felt to all of them was sudden and intense. This story doesn't shy away from hard topics, much like most of his books. There are some definite trigger warnings that I'll include in the comments but the heaviness of some of the topics was also infused with humor, poignant observations about life and humanity, and hope.

This book features a train/other transportation journey with two unlikely companions with very different personalities and world views. I love how Backman likes to thrust a tightly wound anxious character into a situation with a vibrant and chatty over-sharer. It's been the theme of a few of his books and it just makes for such a stark contrast in the human condition lol. The intergenerational connections between the characters was a delightful experience to read about and the ending absolutely blew me away.

Honestly, I think this book is one of his best. So many of his books hold a special place in my heart especially the Beartown trilogy and A Man Called Ove but this one had me in tears and laughing and highlighting a passage on almost every page. I was so grateful to have @booksforthedavisfam to text while I was reading and I loved reliving the experience through @hsumanityreads this week :) I completely plan to set aside time to listen to the audiobook in early May when it's out and sink back into this breathtaking story.

So far this is probably my top read of the year and a very easy 5 stars from me even with my high expectations.